I began writing for Forbes in 2010. It was just as the economy was starting to perk up and a fascinating time to cover the stock market, which I did for three months until I switched beats in September 2010. Now I contribute to the Leadership channel, with a focus on jobs and careers–-another hot topic in a time when people are vigorously hunting for jobs or desperately trying to hold on to the ones they have. I have a BA from the University of Arizona and a master's degree in journalism from Hofstra University. Follow me on Twitter @JacquelynVSmith, subscribe to me on Google+, or email me at jsmith [at] forbes [dot] com.

14 Things To Look For When You Go In For A Job Interview

You just arrived for a job interview. As you wait in the reception area your mind is racing. But instead of running through your rehearsed responses to possible questions again, use that time to survey the workplace. In fact, you should be keenly observant from the time you arrive until you say your goodbyes.

Why? Paying close attention to the workplace and people will allow you to get a better sense of the company culture, and in turn, can help you determine whether it’s a good fit for you. Interviewers can tell you what they want about the environment and personnel—but your own first-hand observations will be far more useful.

“The interview process is a two-way street,” says Amy Hoover, president of Talent Zoo, a site for marketing, advertising, and digital professionals. “Not only are you being evaluated, but you should be evaluating the company and its people. It’s absolutely your duty as an interviewee to observe the culture of the company and its employees. If you’re not offered a tour, be sure to request one so you can get a sense of the environment and its vibe. If possible, you should also request to meet some potential co-workers. It’s as much your responsibility as the candidate to determine if you’re a good fit for the company as it is your interviewer’s, so don’t be shy.”

Dr. Katharine Brooks, executive director of the office of personal and career development at Wake Forest University and author of You Majored in What? Mapping Your Path from Chaos to Career, agrees. She says it’s hard to relax and remember to observe when you’re stressed about an interview, “but make a plan to stop for a minute and assess the office or setting,” she says. “Just take thirty seconds to look around and see how formal the setting is. Do people have personal items on their desks? Is there informal and casual conversation in the hallways? Is the feeling relaxed or tense? Does everyone seem like they are on an urgent mission? These are easily made observations despite personal nervousness.”

So, while you’ll still want to use the interview as your chance to make a great impression and ask important questions, you should also think of it as an opportunity to evaluate the role, the prevailing culture, the company’s leadership, the growth path, and the boss, says Meredith Haberfeld, an executive coach and co-founder of the Institute for Coaching.

Here are 14 things to look out for while you’re on a job interview:

What does the parking lot look like? Start by assessing the parking lot, Kerr suggests. “Are there reserved spaces for VPs? If so, that can speak volumes about how hierarchical the organization is. Are there clues as to the organization’s culture in the parking lot such as welcoming, even fun signs and easy access for clients? Do they offer, as some companies do, reserved spaces for hybrid cars to encourage environmentally friendly behaviors? Do they have a secure facility for employees who ride their bikes to work?”

How was I greeted upon arrival? Was your appointment known to the front desk? Were you greeted in a friendly manner? Offered water or coffee? “The first impression a company decides to give to visitors (interviewees or others) can often indicate their philosophy on how employees are treated, as well,” Hoover says. “A warm and friendly greeting by someone who seems to genuinely care if you’re comfortable is a great indicator of a company with a thriving and happy environment.”

How do employees interact with one another? “In interactions, do the employees seem friendly and supportive of each other, or disrespectful?” says career coach Phyllis Mufson. “Do they take the time to greet the receptionist, and if so, does she respond with a smile?”

“This is a critical observation,” adds Michael Kerr, an international business speaker, author and president of Humor at Work. He says when he toured Zappos he stood in the lobby and was amazed by the level of energy and the way co-workers greeted each other in the morning. “You knew within minutes this was a workplace that had energy, a place where people actually wanted to be on a Monday morning, and a big part of that was just watching the genuine and outgoing ways people interacted with each other.”

Do the employees look happy? This isn’t something you can figure out in your pre-interview research. When you arrive, take note of whether or not the receptionist or security guard is friendly. This will be the first person to greet you each morning—so his or her attitude may be more important than you’d think. Once you enter the office, figure out if the employees look happy. Do they smile at you or acknowledge your presence? This can tell you a lot about the overall environment.

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A really interesting piece. Particularly around assessing a potential employers environmental credentials. Research suggests that this issue is particularly important to Gen Ys. I would also endorse the idea that the applicant should be evaluating the business through observation and questioning. I remember a career coach telling me (many years ago) that the employer is buying labour, the employee is selling labour. Ultimately, this is business.